Celtics coach Jim O’Brien is daring Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn to carry the Nets to California for the Finals.

If those two unpredictable Net bombers are going to drain 3-pointers all night, the Nets are headed to the Finals and there’s nothing the Celtics can do about it.

When analyzing the Celtics’ horrible first quarters in three of the first four games entering last night, O’Brien says it’s more due to what the Nets are doing – hitting the trey. O’Brien will not change strategies. The Celts’ defense will continue to focus on collapsing on Jason Kidd’s forays into the paint.

“I made this statement in the past and I’ll live with it,” O’Brien said. “If they’re going to continue to make long shots, they’re probably going to win the series. We’re so concerned with Kidd, we’re not going to push all the way out there and deny Van Horn and Kittles on the perimeter. We’re not going to do that.”

The Nets burst out to a 31-18 lead after one quarter Monday – the third time in four games they’ve taken a big lead in the first. On Monday, the Nets hit their first four 3-pointers and were 5 of 7 in the first six minutes to go up 19-8.

“[The Nets] coming out and they’ve been on fire in three of the four games,” O’Brien said. “They made five threes very, very quickly.”

In Game 4’s loss Monday, the Celtics outscored the Nets 42-34, which means Boston is doing an OK job of keeping Kidd out of there. Kittles, who started the series 0-for-17 from downtown, banged in 22 points, making 4 of 7 treys. Van Horn hit for 21 points and 3 of 7 from long range.

“I don’t think we go into a game saying, let’s relax those first three quarters, knowing we can come back,” Paul Pierce said.

The Nets led by 15 in the third quarter of Game 4, 26 in the third quarter of Game 3. In Game 1, the Nets led by 17 early in the fourth.

“I think sometimes when we come out in the first quarter, if you miss the first few shots, guys get down on themselves,” said Antoine Walker. “Then it affects your thought process on the defensive end and that’s when you start relaxing and letting a guy get a 3-point shot or drive. Next thing you know you’re down 10-12 points. We’re flirting with danger but we know we’re good enough to come back at the same time.”

“I’m very concerned with the slow starts,” O’Brien added. “I’m concerned we’ve had to play three out of four games from behind.”

Yet, entering last night, neither team has gained true momentum, with teams alternating wins and losses across the first four games.

“It’s hard for one team to gain momentum,” Pierce said. “It’s back and forth. It’s a tough series. In order to get to that championship, you’re going to go through some rough times and good times.”

I TRIPLE DARE YOU!

Celtics coach Jim O’Brien says he will let Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn try to beat Boston from 3-point range. A look at the Net sharpshooters’ performance from behind the arc in Eastern final: